Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Chennai homeowners can get up to ₹78,000 towards a rooftop solar system. But the subsidy is paid only when the system is installed by a vendor registered on the national PM Surya Ghar portal for your DISCOM, using approved panels. Pick an unregistered installer and you can lose the entire subsidy, even if the system works perfectly.
- Ask the company for its PM Surya Ghar vendor registration details.
- Open the official portal, pmsuryaghar.gov.in, and go to the vendor list.
- Select Tamil Nadu and your DISCOM (TNPDCL, which may still appear as TANGEDCO).
- Search for the company's exact registered name and check its status is active.
- Match the name, address and contact on the portal with the company's quote and GST invoice.
What "approved vendor" means under PM Surya Ghar
You will hear several terms: registered vendor, empanelled vendor, MNRE-approved, TEDA-approved. For the subsidy, the one that counts is simple: the installer must be registered on the national PM Surya Ghar portal and authorised for your DISCOM. Only a registered vendor can upload the installation details and completion documents that trigger your subsidy.
Registration is DISCOM-specific. A company registered for another state, or another DISCOM, cannot process a Chennai subsidy. So "we are MNRE-approved" is not enough; ask whether they are registered for Tamil Nadu.
A registered vendor is also expected to:
- Install DCR (domestic content) solar panels from manufacturers on MNRE's Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). Non-DCR panels do not qualify for the subsidy.
- Use compliant inverters, structures, earthing and protection equipment.
- Upload installation details and photographs on the portal so the DISCOM can inspect and commission the system.
- Provide maintenance support for the system after commissioning, as the scheme requires.
Step-by-step: how to verify a vendor on the PM Surya Ghar portal
Get the company's registered name
Brand names and registered company names often differ. Ask for the exact legal name the company is registered under on the PM Surya Ghar portal, and its GST number.
Open the official portal
Go to pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Type the address yourself. Do not use links sent by WhatsApp or SMS, and never use a look-alike domain.
Find the vendor list
Look for the registered or empanelled vendor list in the portal's public information section. The exact label can change as the portal is updated.
Filter by state and DISCOM
Select Tamil Nadu, then the state DISCOM. It is now named TNPDCL but may still be listed as TANGEDCO. Where there is a district filter, choose Chennai or your district.
Search and check the status
Search the registered name. Confirm the company appears for Tamil Nadu and that its registration is active, not suspended or removed.
Cross-check the details
Compare the portal's name, address and contact with the quote, letterhead and GST invoice. If they do not match, ask why before you continue.
Keep a record
Take a dated screenshot of the vendor listing. It is useful if there is any dispute about your subsidy later.
You will select this same vendor inside your own consumer application on the portal, so checking now saves trouble later.
Tamil Nadu specifics: TNPDCL, TANGEDCO and USRP
- DISCOM name: Tamil Nadu's electricity distribution company has been renamed from TANGEDCO to TNPDCL (Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited). Bills, portals and vendors may use either name; both refer to your DISCOM.
- Consumer number: enter your EB consumer number exactly as printed on your latest bill. A mismatch is one of the most common reasons applications get stuck.
- Net metering: grid-connected rooftop systems need a net-meter application, inspection and commissioning by the DISCOM. Read our guide to TANGEDCO solar rules, regulations and USRP.
- Subsidy amount: the central subsidy is ₹30,000 for 1 kW, ₹60,000 for 2 kW and ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above. Work out your figure with the Chennai solar subsidy calculator.
7 questions to ask a solar vendor before you sign
| Ask | A good answer |
|---|---|
| Are you registered on PM Surya Ghar for Tamil Nadu? | Yes, with the registered name so you can check it on the portal yourself. |
| Which panels will you use? | A named DCR panel make and model on the ALMM list, written in the quote. |
| Which inverter, and what warranty? | A named brand with the warranty years stated in writing. |
| Who handles net metering and the subsidy upload? | The vendor files everything and attends the DISCOM inspection. |
| What maintenance is included? | Service visits and support for the years the scheme requires, in writing. |
| What is the mounting structure? | Hot-dip galvanised structure rated for Chennai's cyclone winds. |
| Can I see an itemised quote and GST invoice? | Yes: panels, inverter, structure, cabling, earthing and meter charges listed separately. |
For more on comparing installers, see how to choose the best solar company in Chennai: 8 questions and our list of the best residential solar companies in Chennai.
What happens after you choose a registered vendor
| Stage | Who does it | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register and apply | You | Register on the portal with your EB consumer number and apply for rooftop solar. |
| 2. Feasibility approval | DISCOM | TNPDCL checks your connection and approves the application. |
| 3. Installation | Vendor | The registered vendor installs the system with DCR panels. |
| 4. Upload details | Vendor | Installation details and photos are uploaded on the portal. |
| 5. Net meter and inspection | DISCOM | The net meter is installed and the system is inspected and commissioned. |
| 6. Subsidy request | You | Submit your bank details on the portal after commissioning. |
| 7. Subsidy credited | Government | The subsidy is paid directly into your bank account. |
Get your paperwork ready with our list of documents required for the rooftop solar subsidy in Tamil Nadu, and read the full PM Surya Ghar eligibility and application guide for Chennai.
Red flags and common PM Surya Ghar scams
- A "subsidy processing fee" or "registration fee": applying on the portal is free. Nobody needs to be paid to "get your subsidy approved".
- Claims to be a government officer or "official agent": vendors are private companies. The government does not send agents door to door to sell systems.
- Asking for your portal password or OTP: never share them. A genuine vendor does not need your login.
- A price far below every other quote: often means non-DCR panels, which cancel your subsidy.
- Cash payment with no GST invoice: you need a proper invoice for your records and any warranty claim.
- "We'll add the subsidy to your bill": the subsidy goes directly to your bank account, not through the vendor.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a solar vendor is approved for PM Surya Ghar?
Check the vendor list on the official portal, pmsuryaghar.gov.in. Select Tamil Nadu and your DISCOM, search the company's registered name, and confirm its registration is active.
Can I get the PM Surya Ghar subsidy with any solar company?
No. The subsidy applies only when a vendor registered on the portal for your DISCOM installs the system using approved DCR panels.
Is TANGEDCO the same as TNPDCL?
Yes. Tamil Nadu's distribution company was renamed from TANGEDCO to TNPDCL (Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited). Portals and bills may show either name.
Do I have to pay any fee to apply for PM Surya Ghar?
No. Registering and applying on the national portal is free. Be wary of anyone charging a fee to process or approve your subsidy.
What are DCR solar panels and why do they matter?
DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) panels use Indian-made cells and modules and must come from MNRE's approved list. Only systems with DCR panels qualify for the PM Surya Ghar subsidy.
How long does the subsidy take after installation?
The subsidy is released after the DISCOM inspects and commissions your system and you submit your bank details on the portal. Delays usually come from incomplete documents or a pending net-meter inspection.
Work with a registered solar vendor in Chennai
Arka Solar Energy is a solar company in Chennai registered as a PM Surya Ghar vendor for Tamil Nadu. We handle your application, DCR panel installation, TNPDCL net metering and the subsidy upload, and we share our registration details with every quote so you can verify them yourself.
Scheme details are summarised from the official PM Surya Ghar portal and public sources as of September 2026. Rules and portal layouts can change, so always confirm on pmsuryaghar.gov.in.